The Ashes

[Wardonkey]

Giles isn't the reason we lost, we lost because all of our batting order collapsed like something that collapses really easily.  Can't blame the bowlers, all we had to do was get to around 240 or so and not get out.

Picking Giles ahead of Panesar wasn't the reason we lost, but it was the reason we had no chance of winning...

Playing both at the expense of Anderson was another valid option.

[Rooky9]

When did Monty become the be all and end all. I would still say he's pretty unprove tbh.

The whole turning point of the match was the Pointing dropped catch by Giles (the fact that it was Giles is irrelevant)

Missing Michael Vaugh and Simon Jones on last years success. Take pointing and Lee from Austrailia and they would struggle more too.

Fact is they are better than us and we nered to perform above our level and they below for us to beat them.

[The Baron]

When did Monty become the be all and end all. I would still say he's pretty unprove tbh.

The whole turning point of the match was the Pointing dropped catch by Giles (the fact that it was Giles is irrelevant)

I think it's very relevant. He's in the team for his batting and fielding coz he's certainly not a better bowler. Yet he didn't bat or field well. How relevant can dropping Ponting be?

Gower said somthing brilliant last night:

In his last 216 runs Ashley Giles has taken 2 wickets where as Panesaar has taken 8. (It may not have been 8 it was late and I was tired but it was a shite sight more than 2!)

[Acidmouse]

Not one single selection policy really dictates why we lost but it seems strange you dont pick people in form and fit.

[Rooky9]

When did Monty become the be all and end all. I would still say he's pretty unprove tbh.

The whole turning point of the match was the Pointing dropped catch by Giles (the fact that it was Giles is irrelevant)

I think it's very relevant. He's in the team for his batting and fielding coz he's certainly not a better bowler. Yet he didn't bat or field well. How relevant can dropping Ponting be?

Gower said somthing brilliant last night:

In his last 216 runs Ashley Giles has taken 2 wickets where as Panesaar has taken 8. (It may not have been 8 it was late and I was tired but it was a shite sight more than 2!)

I was saying irrelevant because it could have happened to any of the fielders in that position (Peterson, Bell, Cook) plus the fact that there is no chance monty would have got to it.

In this test thought I Giles batted well in the first innings - scored at a similar rate to Flintoff at the end of the innings. show me a batsman that played well in the second (apart from Strauss).

We would be far more embarrased by leaving Cook (not in form), Strauss (not in form, looked okay today), Bell (okay), Peterson (good but hit or miss), Collingwood (good), Flintoff (okay), Jones (waste of time) - It is frail and we cant afford to keep losing the last 4 wicket for 20 odd.

[The Baron]

I see what you're saying Rooky but I dont see anything Giles is offering the team at the minute.

After a fantastic summer, Monty offers wickets at least.

[Bongo]

Also Monty is younger, would it not make more sense to give him some experience down under?

How much longer will Giles be around?

[Rooky9]

Also Monty is younger, would it not make more sense to give him some experience down under?

How much longer will Giles be around?

This si the biggest series for England. Its what you blood young players for, not when you do it.

[Bongo]

They're 2-0 down. Not much to lose and what they currently have isn't working...

[TightEnd]

Also Monty is younger, would it not make more sense to give him some experience down under?

How much longer will Giles be around?

This si the biggest series for England. Its what you blood young players for, not when you do it.

He and Cook were blooded all last summer. Not as if he hasn't played test cricket is it?

[vegaslover]

The Cook situation shows why Monty hasn't been picked. He has scored heavy against lesser opposition, however the Aussies are a different prospect. They have his number and he knows it. I feel it would of been the same with Monty. There isn't a lot of difference between him and Giles in bowling terms, but Giles is a superior batsmen and fielder (despite the dropped catch).

Look at the problem areas:
Giles has a better average this series than most of England's batsmen.
Jones is a poor selection, both his keeping and batting.
Harmison has 'lost' it.
Flintoff is poor with the bat, has been for quite a while, and doesn't justify being picked for his batting.
Strauss was the best candidate for skipper.

[Wardonkey]

The biggest problem is that their players are better than ours...

[TightEnd]

Giles has a better average this series than most of England's batsmen.

This is incorrect. The openers have struggled but the next three have very decent averages and big scores

[vegaslover]

Giles has a better average this series than most of England's batsmen.

This is incorrect. The openers have struggled but the next three have very decent averages and big scores

lol....not incorrect Giles is 4th in the England averages.
Flintoff, Cook, Strauss, Jones all below him!!

[Bazzaboy]

There isn't a lot of difference between him and Giles in bowling terms,

I'd say there was a huge difference